Cowboys’ Commitment To Running Game Making All The Difference This Year

The 2014 Dallas Cowboys don’t look like the Dallas Cowboys of years past.

This season especially the 8-3 squad has fully committed to its running game, as evidenced by DeMarco Murray’s NFL-leading 1,354 rushing yards. The Cowboys’ strategic decision to focus on their ground attack certainly has paid dividends, and the credit goes to head coach Jason Garrett, former linebacker Brady Poppinga writes on FootballByFootball.com.

Poppinga, who had a brief stint with Garrett and the Cowboys back in 2012, said the shift has “turned the franchise around” and all members of the offense are reaping the rewards.

“Romo is playing as stress-free as he ever has,” Poppinga writes. “He no longer has to carry the team’s success on his shoulders. And with defenses focusing on the running game, I’m sure that has Romo and his receiving corps of Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley smiling from ear to ear.”